Dubai Parks and Resorts launches ‘Helmi’ offering Emiratis training in USA as part of plans to hire more than 1000 UAE Nationals

Dubai – MENA Herald: Dubai Parks and Resorts has launched its ‘Helmi Programme’, an innovative educational initiative that will offer Emirati talent the opportunity to gain deep expertise in the operations and management of theme parks in Orlando, USA as part of its exciting new plan to hire over 1,000 UAE Nationals.

As part of Helmi, Arabic for ‘my dream,’ which compliments the Dubai Plan 2021 and the 7-Year National Agenda to promote Emiratisation and empower National talent, Dubai Parks and Resorts will provide a scholarship programme for 10 UAE Nationals to undertake a six-month intensive study at the University of Central Florida in Orlando in Theme Park Management. A further 40 Emiratis will undertake the same course with a visiting faculty in Dubai.

Dubai Parks and Resorts, which last month launched a major Emiratisation programme to recruit more than 1,000 UAE nationals in the next 12 months, has signed an agreement with the Rosen College of Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida, recognised as experts in theme park related education, to offer an exclusive certified programme for Emiratis.

Participants in the programme, which is open to Emirati graduates under the age of 25 and a GPA of 3.5 and abovewill receive practical and on the job placement at several theme parks, including LEGOLAND® Florida Resort. Another 40 nationals will complete their training in Dubai with visiting faculty from the Rosen College of Hospitality.

Helmi is one of three programmes launched by Dubai Parks and Resorts as part of its commitment to dedicate more than 1,000 jobs to Emiratis within the coming 12 months. Each programme will empower participants to become well-trained professionals, who will play a central role in driving the operations of the company’s three theme parks, water park, hotel and retail and dining district in Dubai that are set to open in October 2016.

Raed Al Nuaimi, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Parks and Resorts, said: “Dubai Parks and Resorts’ partnership with the Rosen College of Hospitality is an exciting platform within our extensive Emiratisation programme, which will not only provide graduates with on the ground training but also practical knowledge to help develop a new generation of Emirati theme park leaders.”

Dubai Parks and Resorts plans to expand the number of scholarships provided to Emiratis for the Helmi programme. These well-trained professionals will play a central role in driving the operations of the company’s three theme parks in Dubai that are set to open next year.

Dubai Parks and Resorts is developing the Middle East’s largest multi-themed, integrated family entertainment destination. The resort will feature motiongate™ Dubai – a unique theme park showcasing some of Hollywood’s most beloved characters from DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Studios and Lionsgate as well as the region’s first LEGOLAND® park, along with a LEGOLAND® Water Park,. Committed to bringing together the best of the East and West, Dubai Parks and Resorts will also feature Bollywood Parks™ Dubai, the first ever theme park based on the sights and sounds of Bollywood. The entire destination will be connected by Riverland™ Dubai – a retail, dining and entertainment walkway and guests can stay at the Lapita™ Hotel, a Polynesian-themed resort catering to families.